Page 90 of Idle

After blowing on her cup, she asks, “I saw the news about your father getting separate counsel. How are you all holding up?”

She’s only being chatty. “To be honest, I’ve kept out of it and focused on my own thing. I’ve been staying with my cousin and her dad doesn’t talk about work at all, so I’ve been isolated.”

“Oh.” She takes a sip and pulls back, presumably because it’s still too hot to drink. “Have you talked with your own father about it?”

“I called him when I first heard. He told me he was handling it and passed me to Mum. His way of avoiding having to answer too many questions.” I tuck my hair behind my ear.

“Interesting.”

“Excuse me?”

“Oh nothing. My mother does the same thing, that’s all. If she doesn’t want to talk about a subject, she’s tighter than a clam.”

“She should meet Father. Two peas in a pod.”

She coughs, then raises her cup to her lips. “Renovation TV has received lots of fan mail for you and Jesse. People love you guys.”

“Really? Thanks.” What else can I say to that?

“Do you want me to forward them to you?”

I’m about to say no, when a thought occurs. “Please.” I give her my personal email address so I’m sure to see the file when it arrives. My mind goes off in a million directions about how I can use this in my current quest.

“So tell me, what are the mysterious next steps you mentioned before?”

I play with the handle of my mug. Might as well tell her a limited truth. “I’m looking into new properties to flip.”

“That’s great. I think you have a good eye. Some of your choices were on par with what I was thinking. Moving the laundry room was a brilliant idea, for instance. Plus, I loved your hidden pantry.”

“Thanks. I was proud of that as well.” One of the only things for which I’m proud, and Jesse made each idea sing.

The server delivers our sandwiches, and we dig in. In between bites, she peppers me with questions about my life and family. Turns out, Quinn has a sister who works in the news business here, but I haven’t heard of her.

Finishing her sandwich, she wipes her hands on at least five paper napkins. “And how’s Jesse? Are you two still going strong?”

This is the one question I was dreading. Do I tell her the truth?—we broke up when we were kicked off the show. Or share my hopes of getting back together with him? I decide on a middle ground.

“He’s good. Very busy, with lots of balls in the air.”

“I’m happy to hear that. He’s talented. You two make a cute couple.”

Agreed. Heat rises up my neck, and I place my palm beneath my ear to hide the telltale pink. “Appreciate it.” Needing to deflect, I turn the tables. “So, what about you? Any special man in your life?” A vision of her and Bo together at Club Cielo pops into my mind.

“No way. Too busy with work.”

Might as well go for it. “What about Bo?”

She inhales. “We work together, nothing more.”

I finish my wrap. “Oh, c’mon. I saw you two out together at a club when we were filming.”

She shakes her head, her dark brown, chin-length hair swinging against her jawline. “Can you keep a secret?” I nod and she continues. “He hit on me and we went out on a date to a restaurant and to the club where you obviously saw us. But he ate with his mouth open, which turned me off.”

I laugh, and she stares at me. “Oh, I know! He did the same thing with me. Disgusting.”

She joins me in laughing. “Right? He’s a good-looking guy, for sure. But please, keep your mouth closed.”

“Oh my God. Believe me, though, it’s better to listen to him chew than to let him talk. He has some seriously out-of-date ideas about women. I’m actually shocked he pursued you, considering you were his boss on the show.”

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